My recollection is that the "720" was a civil derivative of the C-135, a descendant of the prototype "Dash 80". The 720 had a smaller cabin cross-section than the "707" series, a shorter fuselage, a longer wingspan (than the -100/-120) and operated at lower MTOWs. The 707 series -100/-120 and -300/-320 (and RR powered -400) had a slight double bubble to the cabin cross-section, making it appear to be a wider cabin above the floor. American operated the 720B, 707-123, 707-323B and 707-323C models, the latter operating in both passenger and freighter configurations. Braniff also operated the 720, into South America for its hot and high (La Paz) performance. - RWM David R wrote: >United called its 720's 720's. The 707-320 is the intercontinental version >of the 707. The -420 was also an intercontinental version, only it was >powered by Rolls Royce engines. > >Here's why it was called the "720," from volume 7 of the "Great Airliners >Series" books called, appropriately enough, "Boeing 720." > >Pat Patterson, United's president at the time, wanted the model number >changed. Originally, it was to be the 707-020 but he didn't want the >appearance of having second thoughts on his large DC-8 order. Boeing was >going to change it to 717 but "Seven One Seven" and "Seven Seventeen" didn't >appeal to Patterson. Boeing decided to call it the 720. This was >acceptable to Patterson. > >Only three airlines actually called the 720 a 707. American called the 720 >"707 Jet Flagship" and the 720B "707 Astrojets." TWA called it the >"SuperJet" and did not mention the model number. Aer Lingus used just >"Boeing" titles without specifying the type. > > >David R >home.comcast.net/~damiross/books.html >www.sequoians.com > >-----Original Message----- >From: Gerard M Foley [mailto:gfoley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] >Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 17:42 >To: The Airline List; damiross3@xxxxxxxxxxx >Subject: Re: SFGate: ATA Airlines to Expand Service > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "David MR" <damiross3@xxxxxxxxxxx> >To: <AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 5:03 PM >Subject: Re: SFGate: ATA Airlines to Expand Service > > > > >>I think it was actually a 720. I know - American Airlines (and >>possibly some other airlines) called its 720s 707s but that don't make >>it right! >>David R >> >> > >and United calling 707's 720's did make that right? (8^)) > >Just to show my ignorance I'll ask what was a 707-320? A 720 by another >name? > >Gerry >http://www.pbase.com/gfoley9999/ >http://www.wilowud.net/ >http://home.columbus.rr.com/gfoley >http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/pollock/263/egypt/egypt.html > > -- R.W. Mann & Company, Inc. >> Airline Industry Analysis Port Washington, NY 11050 >> tel 516-944-0900, fax -7280 mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxx >> URL http://www.RWMann.com/ This e-mail is for the designated recipient only and may contain privileged or confidential information. If you have received it in error, please notify the above sender immediately then delete the original e-mail. Any other use of this e-mail is prohibited.